South African Police Service (SAPS) Data — Updated Quarterly

Richards Bay Crime Statistics

Richards Bay, King Cetshwayo (Richards Bay), KwaZulu-Natal — Latest SAPS Crime Data

F17/100
Very High Risk
Total Crimes
3,568
+3.2% vs 2024
Crime Rate
5,589
per 100k
Safety Score
17/100
Grade FVery High Risk
Population
85,112

Crime Breakdown — Richards Bay (2025)

Crime CategoryGroupCases% of Total
Commercial Crimeother-serious76921.6%
All theft not mentioned elsewhereother-serious68019.1%
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugsdetected52014.6%
Burglary at residential premisesproperty37910.6%
Common assaultcontact3279.2%
Theft out of or from motor vehicleproperty3098.7%
Drug-Related Crimedetected2817.9%
Shopliftingother-serious2356.6%
Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harmcontact2286.4%
Malicious damage to propertycontact-related1514.2%
Other aggravated robberyother-serious1444.0%
Burglary at non-residential premisesproperty1293.6%
Crimen Injuriacontact-related1153.2%
Common robberycontact1113.1%
Attempted murdercontact671.9%
Rapecontact611.7%
Kidnappingcontact531.5%
Robbery at residential premisescontact451.3%
Sexual Assaultcontact280.8%
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycleproperty280.8%
Robbery at non-residential premisescontact200.6%
Murdercontact190.5%
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunitiondetected170.5%
Culpable homicideother-serious160.4%
Carjackingcontact90.3%
Attempted Sexual Offencescontact70.2%
Neglect and ill-treatment of childrencontact40.1%
Stock Theftproperty40.1%
Arsoncontact-related10.0%
Abductioncontact00.0%
Bank Robberycontact00.0%
Contact Sexual Offencescontact00.0%
Public violencecontact-related00.0%
Robbery of cash in transitcontact00.0%
Sexual offences detected as a result of police actiondetected00.0%
Truck hijackingcontact00.0%

Richards Bay Crime Trend (2018-2025)

Richards Bay Crime Breakdown (2025)

Is Richards Bay Safe?

No, Richards Bay has high crime levels.

Richards Bay scores 17/100 on our safety index, earning a Grade F (Very High Risk). The crime rate in Richards Bay is 5,589 per 100,000 people, significantly above the national average. Take extra precautions in Richards Bay, particularly after dark, and be aware of the predominant crime types in the area.

vs National Average
+82%
Well above average
Year-on-Year
+3.2%
Relatively stable
Top Crime
Commercial Crime
22% of all crime
Rank in King Cetshwayo (Richards Bay)
11/12
Among highest risk

Crime breakdown in Richards Bay

In 2025, Richards Bay recorded 3,568 total crimes. The most prevalent crime in Richards Bay is Commercial Crime with 769 reported cases (21.6% of all crime in Richards Bay), followed by All theft not mentioned elsewhere at 680 cases (19.1%) and Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs at 520 cases (14.6%).

Compared to 2024, crime in Richards Bay has increased by 3.2%, indicating a worsening trend for the Richards Bay area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common crimes in Richards Bay?

The most reported crimes in Richards Bay are Commercial Crime (769 cases), All theft not mentioned elsewhere (680 cases), Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (520 cases). These figures are based on 2025 SAPS data.

How does Richards Bay compare to other areas in King Cetshwayo (Richards Bay)?

Richards Bay has a crime rate of 5,589 per 100k. Compared to other precincts in King Cetshwayo (Richards Bay), Ntambanana is safer with a rate of 356 per 100k.

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Other Precincts in King Cetshwayo (Richards Bay)

PrecinctCrimesRateSafety
Ntambanana227356A (90)
Mbongolwane280438A (87)
Ekombe292457A (87)
Gingindlovu598936B (74)
Nkandla6641,040B (72)
Melmoth9581,500C (61)
Kwambonambi1,1981,876C (54)
Mtunzini1,4422,259D (47)
Eshowe2,0843,265F (33)
Esikhaleni2,4503,838F (27)

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